Civils contractors have welcomed the publication of a major report by the Independent Water Commission and said that it must herald a ‘reset’ of the sector.
Chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, the Commission sets out 88 recommendations for the UK and Welsh Governments to transform the water industry.
The report’s final recommendations, published this morning, sets out a comprehensive package of measures to improve water quality, strengthen environmental protections, reset the governance of water companies, and ensure the resilience of critical water infrastructure.
Key recommendations include the establishment of a single water regulator for England and Wales; the establishment of eight new regional water system planning authorities in England and one national authority in Wales; increased consumer protection; stronger environmental regulation; and new requirements for water companies to map, assess, and apply resilience standards consistently across the industry.
Commenting, Ed Evans, Director of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales, said: “Rebuilding public confidence in the water sector is essential, and we welcome the Independent Water Commission’s recommendations which are laser-focussed at improving performance, transparency, and environmental outcomes.
“CECA members stand ready to deliver the infrastructure upgrades that will be necessary to achieve these goals – from modernising waste water networks, to improving flood resilience, to delivering the schemes that ensure the resilience and reliability users expect.
“We look forward to working with the UK and Welsh Governments to ensure that reforms to the water sector are matched with long-term certainty of investment, streamlined planning processes, and close collaboration between regulators, water companies, and the civil engineering supply chain.
“With the right conditions in place, our industry can deliver the step-change in water infrastructure that the public expects, while supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and delivering the environmental outcomes UK businesses and communities deserve.”
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